Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited
March 18, 2025

The planned impeachment of Governor Sim Fubara is stoking tensions in Rivers, Nigeria’s oil-rich state.http://The planned impeachment of Governor Sim Fubara is stoking tensions in Rivers, Nigeria’s oil-rich state. The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA)

The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) members had on Monday tabled an impeachment notice to the embattled governor and his deputy, Ngozi Nma Ordu.

The letter, dated March 14, 2024, was tabled to Martin Amaewhule, the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The letter, signed by the lawmakers and entitled, ‘Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct Brought Pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999,’ accused the governor of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office.

A separate letter was tabled for the deputy governor.

The legislators accused the governor of spending public funds contrary to sections 120, 121, and 122 of the constitution.

The Amaewhule-led House of Assembly also accused the governor of hindering or obstructing the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is another arm of government protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), from performing its constitutional duties.

The lawmakers further accused the governor of appointing individuals to occupy offices/positions in the Rivers State Government without the required screening and confirmation as prescribed by the Constitution. They alleged that he made requests for screening to persons other than the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly.

Another allegation against Fubara was his failure to forward the name of a nominee for appointment as attorney-general and commissioner for justice in line with Section 192(2) & (6) as well as Section 195(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Instead, he allegedly announced Mr. Dagogo Iboroma to assume the said position without the required legislative approval.

The lawmakers also accused the governor of illegally swearing in several individuals into the Rivers State Executive Council on May 21, 2024, without proper legislative screening and confirmation, thereby violating Section 192(2) & (6) of the 1999 Constitution.

Will Gov Fubara Be Served?

The notices are to be served to the governor after the House debate and adoption. However, it remains unclear if the notice will be successfully served due to the communication breakdown between the executive and legislative arms of government.

The date of the letters indicates that the decision had been taken earlier. If the governor and his deputy are successfully impeached, Speaker Amaewhule would, by law, be sworn in as the next governor. This move could complete the removal of Fubara and restore power and political structure to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who has openly vowed to oust Fubara.

Tension Heats Up Rivers

The political crisis is intensifying in Rivers State, with many residents fearing potential unrest.

Matthew Ahanna, a Port Harcourt resident, said, “We are being cautious and careful to avoid being victims. Parents are glued to their radios. Someone told me he will no longer send his wards to school until the crisis is over.”

Oil company workers and civil servants are also reportedly anxious about the unfolding crisis.

An X user, @rilwan_ola01, who is also a politician, stated, “Fubara cannot be impeached, as doing so would involve the Rivers State Chief Judge participating in an undemocratic process. Furthermore, it would indicate that President Tinubu has an agenda to remove a democratically elected governor. We are observing the situation closely.”

Sources told BusinessDay that various pro-Fubara groups might be preparing to resist the impeachment move. There are speculations that pipelines and critical infrastructure could be targeted if the lawmakers succeed in impeaching Fubara.

The Supreme Council for Sim Worldwide had last week warned that any attempt to impeach the Rivers State governor could lead to widespread unrest. “We all know the process of impeachment. Before it even starts, the state will boil because the governor is a man of the masses. The governor might not do anything, but the masses have something to do because they voted for the lawmakers, and they will have something to tell them,” the leader of the group, Esezi Obilor Rukani, stated.

He further warned that the electorate could take action against lawmakers who act against their interests. “The governor may not fight them, but those who voted for them will. They didn’t send you there to foment trouble, and if you do, they will start recalling you,” he added.

Meanwhile, ex-Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo, issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and the 27 lawmakers in Rivers State, urging them to abandon any plans to impeach Governor Sim Fubara.

Dokubo cautioned that any move to impeach Fubara from office could destabilize the state and lead to political unrest.